Prog bands, concept albums, I made all the comparisons in my review of Frost*’s new album, but they are intrinsically linked. Even Italian prog metal veterans have gotten in on the act. Their new album Endless is a concept album and because of this they’re able to spread their wings creatively than before, leaning more on the classic prog sounds of the 70’s there’s huge Hammond walls, acoustic interludes, harmony vocals and flute and that’s just on the first two songs!
Still with the flute, strings and 70’s prog flavours, Endless is great ride for fans of progressive music, and stands as one of the most accomplished DGm records to date. 9/10
Aries Descendant - From The Ashes Of Deceit (Frontiers Music Srl)
Aries Descendant is two men; Jonah Weingarten (keys/orchestrations) and Nicklas Sonne (vocals/guitar/bass), From The Ashes Of Deceit is their new album and it’s a sum of it’s parts, Jonah is in Pyramaze and is a composer for TV and film while Nicklas has played with Defacto, Evil Masquerade, One Machine and others. They formed Aries Descendant as a way to unify their collective vision, under the guidance of Frontiers label boss of course. The result is what you would expect, highly orchestrated, melodic prog metal that strays into thrash and classic realms.
With the industrial thud of modern movie scores (i.e Hans Zimmer, Ramin Djawadi or Ludwig Göransson) paired with heavy metal, From The Ashes Of Deceit embraces the cinematic right from the outset, it’s all very Pyramaze or Symphony X, from the huge musical vistas of Symphony Of Demise and Moira, to the Nicklas’ vocals are quite varied, he can sing clean and he can growl, sounding like Russell Allen in some places but M Shadows on Oblivion and Downfall.
Endless is their 12th album and while they have been progressive metal in the past they revitalise their sound with this new record, skilfully melding classic sounds of Yes, Jethro Tull and Camel, the Italian Progressive rock sound (it’s quite a distinct thing) with the likes of Dream Theater (Blank Pages) and Symphony X, listen to Final Call for that.
Endless is a study on why? Why we do the things we do? A study on self-reflection, it’s got brooding darkness, chuggy guitars and the sounds of Opeth on The Wake, Emanuele Casali’s synths a key feature, but his flute is also, on Solitude especially, a track that sounds the most like old DGM or Symphony X without the flute in it.
Endless is a study on why? Why we do the things we do? A study on self-reflection, it’s got brooding darkness, chuggy guitars and the sounds of Opeth on The Wake, Emanuele Casali’s synths a key feature, but his flute is also, on Solitude especially, a track that sounds the most like old DGM or Symphony X without the flute in it.
The backroom of Fabio Costantino (drums) and Andrea Arcangeli (bass) can put the pedal to the metal when required but also bring scope and expression, the drumming is a real highlight. Up front Marco Basile’s vocals are emotive and fit perfectly against the melodic playing of Simone Mularoni, a virtuoso of the highest order but never selfish with his solos. As we get towards the second half of the album, the sound moves more towards the traditional DGM prog metal.
Still with the flute, strings and 70’s prog flavours, Endless is great ride for fans of progressive music, and stands as one of the most accomplished DGm records to date. 9/10
Aries Descendant - From The Ashes Of Deceit (Frontiers Music Srl)
Aries Descendant is two men; Jonah Weingarten (keys/orchestrations) and Nicklas Sonne (vocals/guitar/bass), From The Ashes Of Deceit is their new album and it’s a sum of it’s parts, Jonah is in Pyramaze and is a composer for TV and film while Nicklas has played with Defacto, Evil Masquerade, One Machine and others. They formed Aries Descendant as a way to unify their collective vision, under the guidance of Frontiers label boss of course. The result is what you would expect, highly orchestrated, melodic prog metal that strays into thrash and classic realms.
With the industrial thud of modern movie scores (i.e Hans Zimmer, Ramin Djawadi or Ludwig Göransson) paired with heavy metal, From The Ashes Of Deceit embraces the cinematic right from the outset, it’s all very Pyramaze or Symphony X, from the huge musical vistas of Symphony Of Demise and Moira, to the Nicklas’ vocals are quite varied, he can sing clean and he can growl, sounding like Russell Allen in some places but M Shadows on Oblivion and Downfall.
If I’m honest the orchestrations take president over the metal sound, which is no bad thing as the symphonic elements bring grandeur over some chuggy modern metal. If you love bands such as Symphony X, Evergrey, Pyramaze or post-Hail To The King A7X then From The Ashes Of Deceit will rank highly for you. 8/10
Fate - Reconnect ‘N Ignite (Frontiers Music Srl)
Fate are apparently a ‘legendary’ Danish metal band, formed in 1984 by Hank Sherman after he left Mercyful Fate, he left in 1988 with years of turmoil, it was the team of powerhouse singer Peer Johansson joined the band but it was guitar hotshot Torben Enevoldsen who revitalised the band in 2011, leading to the version we hear on Reconnect ‘N Ignite. Now I’m not sure who is who, how many members they’ve had etc but I think it’s Enevoldsen and bassist Pete Steiner who have been in the band longest, with Peer back on the mic and newbies on drums and keys, this is Fate for 2024.
Reconnect ‘N Ignite is their first studio album since 2013 and it’s very much like the Fate of old, anthemic heavy rock, almost Teutonic in its thrust, there’s a sound of bands such as Accept on Reason For Everything but with This Won’t Last they lean back on their melodic rock/AOR roots, switching between the two styles with ease. It’s not jarring though there’s muscle and sweetness here, delivered by great playing all round.
Fate - Reconnect ‘N Ignite (Frontiers Music Srl)
Fate are apparently a ‘legendary’ Danish metal band, formed in 1984 by Hank Sherman after he left Mercyful Fate, he left in 1988 with years of turmoil, it was the team of powerhouse singer Peer Johansson joined the band but it was guitar hotshot Torben Enevoldsen who revitalised the band in 2011, leading to the version we hear on Reconnect ‘N Ignite. Now I’m not sure who is who, how many members they’ve had etc but I think it’s Enevoldsen and bassist Pete Steiner who have been in the band longest, with Peer back on the mic and newbies on drums and keys, this is Fate for 2024.
Reconnect ‘N Ignite is their first studio album since 2013 and it’s very much like the Fate of old, anthemic heavy rock, almost Teutonic in its thrust, there’s a sound of bands such as Accept on Reason For Everything but with This Won’t Last they lean back on their melodic rock/AOR roots, switching between the two styles with ease. It’s not jarring though there’s muscle and sweetness here, delivered by great playing all round.
If you’ve never heard Fate’s music before (puts hand up) I’d say this is a good place as any to start, and if you’re a longtime fan then it will be worth the wait to hear the band haven’t changed the formula too much. 7/10
Strangers - Whispers (Frontiers Music Srl)
Coming over late last week was another Frontiers release, Spanish rock band Strangers present their new EP Whispers, their debut for Frontiers, armed with new lead singer Celia Barloz, they look to move away from their three previous albums and solidify this as the band going forward. Celia has performed with the band previously as a guest/backing singer so it makes sense she takes the lead role and her voice is really good.
Strangers - Whispers (Frontiers Music Srl)
Coming over late last week was another Frontiers release, Spanish rock band Strangers present their new EP Whispers, their debut for Frontiers, armed with new lead singer Celia Barloz, they look to move away from their three previous albums and solidify this as the band going forward. Celia has performed with the band previously as a guest/backing singer so it makes sense she takes the lead role and her voice is really good.
She has a bluesy tone to her voice making With You feel like classic 80's hard rockers Lee Aaron, Lita Ford and others but with modernity. There's nothing world changing about this four track EP but it's got some solid rock and having Celia as the singer is definitely the right choice. 6/10
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